WASHINGTON – Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL) has introduced bicameral legislation to cut "red tape" by allowing the use of commercial-grade concrete and steel for non-safety structures while maintaining strict regulatory oversight for all critical safety-related systems.

Introduced as the 24th piece of legislation by Congressman Donalds in the 119th Congress, the bipartisan "Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act" is co-led by Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA). Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) lead the Senate companion to this legislation.

This legislation aims to address burdensome control standards that have historically made the cost to build nuclear a financial burden. Streamlining the construction of nuclear facilities by reducing regulatory hurdles and lowering costs for non-safety-related infrastructure works to cut unnecessary red tape. This targeted approach ensures that the Nuclear Regulatory Commission maintains strict concrete and steel standards for critical safety systems, while allowing standard construction practices to move projects forward with more efficiency.

The "Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act" has received endorsements from the Abundance Institute, the Breakthrough Institute, the Pacific Legal Foundation, C3 Solutions Organization, and Americans for Prosperity.

"Energy security is national and economic security for the United States. As our energy demands continue to grow, it is essential that nuclear energy is a viable source of base load power. We must take a hard look at outdated and burdensome regulations and make practical, common-sense reforms," said Congressman Byron Donalds (R-FL). "I am proud to work alongside Congressman Auchincloss, Senator Lummis, and Senator Kelly to introduce the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act to reduce construction and compliance costs for nuclear reactors, without sacrificing safety."

"As nuclear technology evolves, our regulations should evolve with it," said Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)."Requiring nuclear-grade materials in parts of a plant that have nothing to do with safety drives up costs and locks out local construction crews who are more than capable of doing the job. This legislation fixes that by requiring the NRC to allow commercial-grade concrete and steel where it's safe to do so. I'm pleased to work with Senator Kelly and Congressman Donalds to get this done. The result is simple: lower costs, more local jobs, and zero compromise on safety."

"Massachusetts should build nuclear power — and build it with local jobs," said Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA). "This bill ensures that more Bay Staters would do the work when Massachusetts moves to build clean, dispatchable, affordable power."

"Representative Donalds' bill is a practical step toward making it easier to build more nuclear power in America. This kind of targeted reform helps create a more build-friendly environment for new nuclear projects and moves the country closer to abundant, reliable American energy. This is exactly the kind of policy Congress should advance if it is serious about energy abundance," said Chris Koopman, CEO of the Abundance Institute.

"The Breakthrough Institute commends Representative Donalds for introducing the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act. After decades of stagnant electricity demand, growing industries such as AI, advanced manufacturing, and broader electrification will bring large loads to the grid. Advanced nuclear technologies are well-positioned to meet this demand, but high construction costs continue to be a constraint on deployment. Regulatory requirements governing the use of safety-related materials in non-safety-related structures can be a meaningful contributor to this cost. Aligning material standards with safety significance by allowing commercial-grade concrete and steel, where appropriate, can preserve stringent protections for critical systems while reducing unnecessary cost and complexity. This performance-based approach can help shorten construction timelines and improve project economics without compromising public health and safety. We appreciate Representative Donalds’ leadership in advancing pragmatic reforms to strengthen the conditions for new nuclear in the United States," said Dr. Adam Stein, Director of Nuclear Energy Innovation at the Breakthrough Institute.

"For too long, the federal government has stifled nuclear energy with misguided and unnecessary red tape. Pacific Legal Foundation applauds Senator Lummis and Representative Donalds for introducing the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act, which directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to permit the use of commercial-grade steel and concrete at nuclear facilities. Passing this bill is one of many important steps needed to remove key barriers for American nuclear energy to expand, innovate, and power the future," said Josh Smith, Senior Fellow at the Pacific Legal Foundation.

"Nuclear-grade materials carry an enormous cost premium for little to no additional safety benefit. Three-quarters of a nuclear reactor is concrete, and thanks to federal regulations, that concrete costs 50 percent more than what we use to build bridges and skyscrapers, not because it's meaningfully safer, but because the regulations say so. The same story holds for steel. For nuclear energy to succeed in the United States, it needs to be cost-competitive, and reducing government regulations that unnecessarily inflate costs is key to achieving that. The Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act is a long-overdue course correction that will help deploy more clean, dependable power without compromising on safety," said Nick Loris, President of C3 Solutions Action.

"We are proud to support Congressman Byron Donalds' efforts to encourage the further buildout of nuclear energy in the United States by lessening the burdens placed on the construction and manufacture of these facilities via oversight by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The current text in Congressman Donalds' bill requires the agency to finalize a rulemaking to authorize the use of commercial-grade steel and concrete in non-safety-related structures at nuclear facilities. This bill provides a reasonable and responsible manner to address building and construction activities at nuclear facilities. Congressman Donalds has been a stalwart in the energy and natural resources space, and we are thankful for his leadership," said Faith Burns, Energy Policy Fellow at Americans for Prosperity.

BACKGROUND:

With innovations in reactor designs, nuclear-grade cement and steel are not necessary for every component within a reactor facility. They are largely unnecessary for non-safety-related structures, yet their mandated use can impose significant costs and hinder innovation and deployment.

The cost of nuclear-grade concrete is estimated at $527 per cubic meter, compared to $352 for commercial concrete. The estimated cost of nuclear steel is 120% higher than non-nuclear-grade steel. Concrete pours using nuclear-grade cement can also take substantially longer; foundation pours take about twice as long, and superstructure pours take about 50% longer than those using ordinary concrete.

Currently, reactor construction requires specialized crews and the use of nuclear-grade cement and steel throughout the entire facility, regardless of proximity to the reactor core. This bill allows the use of commercial concrete and steel to construct supporting structures that are not directly exposed to radioactive material. Congress should ensure that nuclear construction requirements remain tied to genuine safety needs, rather than imposing unnecessary material and compliance burdens that raise costs and slow deployment.

WHAT THIS BILL DOES:

• This bill authorizes the use of commercial-grade steel and concrete in non-safety-related structures at nuclear facilities. Additionally, it allows the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to require nuclear-grade materials if they determine that stricter standards are necessary to address a specific safety risk, or to ensure adequate protection of public health and safety.

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